Bree Perkins MASC



Helium


Helium's atomic number is 2. This means helium has 2 electrons and 2 protons. Out of the 118 elements in the periodic table, helium has the lowest melting point of all. [1]

Heliums melting point(when the substance turns from solid to liquid) is -272.0°C. The boiling point (when the liquid turns into a gas) of helium is -268.6°C [2]

Helium is colourless, tasteless and odourless. The word helium originates from the Greek word 'helios' meaning sun. The symbol for helium is He. Helium is used as a treatment for people suffering from asthma. Helium is formed underground. It would take 6,000 baloons of helium to lift a 37.5kg child off the ground. Helium is non-toxic. There is no helium existing in the human body. [3]
In the universe, 11.3% of the atoms are Helium. Helium was discovered in 1868 by Pierre Jansen, a French astronomer. Helium is a Noble gas because it does not react with other chemicals. [4] [5]

It is very light; the only element that weighs less than helium is Hydrogen. The sun and stars are made mostly of helium.
Helium is only ever found in the state of gas.
[6] [7]
external image helium-atom.gif

  1. ^ Helmenstine, Anne. (2010) 10 Helium Facts, Retrieved 3rd of November 2010. retrieved from http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/10-helium-facts.htm
  2. ^ Facts about.. (2009) Facts about Helium, Retrieved 3rd of November 2010. retrieved from http://www.facts-about.org.uk/science-element-helium.htm
  3. ^ FunFacter. (2010) Fun Facts about Helium, Retrieved 3rd of November 2010. retrieved from http://hubpages.com/hub/Fun-Facts-About-Helium
  4. ^ Andrews, Frank C. (2010) Helium. World Book Student. World Book, Retrieved Web. 4 Nov. 2010.
  5. ^ Praxair Technology Inc. (2010) Helium: Facts about Gas. Retrieved 11 November, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/7a1106cc7ce1c54e85256a9c005accd7/8c4eb30c7b69394e85256c5a0007530c?OpenDocument
  6. ^ Chemicool. (nd). Helium Element Facts. Retrieved 11 November, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.chemicool.com/elements/helium.html
  7. ^ Ryan. (2008). 12 Facts about Helium. Retrieved 11 November, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.infobarrel.com/Interesting_Facts_About_Helium_(He)